MN5523 Business Ethics

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

15

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

To be arranged.

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr S F Mansell

Dr S F Mansell
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Samuel Mansell, Dr Benjamin Sachs-Cobbe

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module is an examination of philosophical, and especially ethical, issues that arise concerning the purpose of, and conduct of, business in the context of the liberal democratic state, with a special focus on the corporation. The module focuses mainly on contemporary topics, but also has a component in which fundamental issues regarding economics, capitalism and the purpose of the corporation are examined from a historical viewpoint. Contemporary topics to be discussed may include the question of which agents are morally responsible for corporate actions, and the extent to which corporations ought to take on roles that are traditionally assigned solely to citizens and their elected government. This is an interdisciplinary module and, therefore, enrolled students should be prepared for the challenge of engaging with students and written materials outwith their own discipline.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

The module will be delivered in weekly three-hour classes.

Scheduled learning hours

30

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

125

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Apply philosophical analysis to a range of contemporary ethical issues confronting business organisations
  • Compare, contrast and evaluate differing theoretical, practical and ethical positions in relation to business
  • Critically evaluate the place of the business corporation in the modern liberal democratic state
  • Critically evaluate competing perspectives on the ethics of capitalism
  • Engage with students and written materials from outside their own discipline
  • Critically reflect on their own position with respect to the issues covered on the module